The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has commenced in Busan, South Korea.
Delegates from 21 member states, chosen from the 195 nations party to the World Heritage Convention, are participating in the session. Azerbaijan’s delegation is also present as a Committee member.
As a primary governing body of UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee oversees the 1972 Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. This Committee convenes annually to evaluate potential new additions to the World Heritage List and to examine the preservation status of existing properties. Its decisions are informed by expert assessments from UNESCO’s advisory bodies and Secretariat.
For the 2026 session, primary discussions revolve around new nominations from various global regions, the state of threatened heritage sites, and necessary protective measures. The agenda encompasses assessments of both cultural and natural heritage locations.
UNESCO’s most recent data indicates that the World Heritage List presently features over 1,200 cultural, natural, and mixed heritage sites across more than 170 nations. Azerbaijan contributes 24 heritage examples to this UNESCO list.
Beyond expanding the list, every session also confronts increasing challenges impacting heritage preservation, such as climate change, armed conflicts, urban development, and the effects of mass tourism.
The Committee plans to reveal its decisions regarding new World Heritage sites and conservation strategies upon the conclusion of the Busan gathering.
The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is scheduled to run until July 29, 2026.
